Tolerance compensation assembly

ABSTRACT

A tolerance compensation arrangement for fastening first and second components with automatic or self-acting compensation of tolerances in the spacing between the components. The arrangement includes a base element having first and second metal elements with inner threads. An adjustment unit includes a threaded sleeve with an outer thread and a dragging unit at least partially arranged in the threaded sleeve. The outer thread forms a first thread pairing of a first thread direction with the inner thread of the first metal element. A fastening screw can be screwed into the inner thread of the second metal element via a second thread pairing of a second thread direction opposite to the first thread direction. The fastening screw can be connected to the adjustment unit via the dragging unit so that, during the rotation of the fastening screw, the adjustment unit co-rotates and is moved into abutment with the first component.

1. TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure is related to a tolerance compensationarrangement for fastening a first component to a second component withautomatic or self-acting compensation of tolerances in the spacingbetween the first and the second component. Additionally, the presentdisclosure is related to a first component in combination with atolerance compensation arrangement, a first and a second component,which are fastened to each other via a tolerance compensationarrangement by means of a screw, as well as a manufacturing method for atolerance compensation arrangement.

2. BACKGROUND

Tolerance compensation arrangements are known in a wide variety. Theyare typically composed of an adjustment bushing having a so-calleddragging section that can form a frictional connection to a fasteningscrew. When rotating the fastening screw, therefore, the adjustmentbushing is also rotated until it rests at one of the two components,whereupon during further rotation of the fastening screw and withcorresponding increase of the torque the frictional connection isovercome, so that the two components can be clamped together by thefastening screw via the adjustment bushing.

DE 20 2012 102 440 U1 describes a tolerance compensation element with atleast two supporting bodies, which are in such a manner thread-engagedwith each other, that the axial dimension of the tolerance compensationelement is adjustable by relatively turning the supporting bodies. Atleast one of the supporting bodies comprises a coil spring, which iswound from a wire with non-rectangular cross-section and forms thethread of this supporting body. The tolerance compensation element isretained by means of claws in a component, which comprises a threadedbore for engagement with a fastening screw.

Another tolerance compensation element is described in DE 10 2012 110352 A1. This tolerance compensation element includes at least twosupporting bodies, from which at least one comprises a helically-shapedsupporting plane, over which the supporting bodies support each other insuch a manner that the axial dimension of the tolerance compensationelement is adjustable by relatively turning the supporting bodies. Atleast one of the supporting bodies is a coil spring and the supportingbody being supported thereby comprises a web, which engages between thewindings of the coil spring. Here, again, the tolerance compensationelement is fastened by means of claws in the component, wherein thecomponent comprises a threaded bore for engagement with a fasteningscrew.

A further tolerance compensation arrangement is described in DE 10 2013216 716 A1. Here, the tolerance compensation arrangement comprises abase element, which defines an axial direction, a compensating element,which is movable relatively to the base element for compensatingtolerances between the components to be connected, and a securing meansfor securing the compensating element against a movement relative to thebase element. The securing means is releasable independently from amovement of the compensating element relatively to the base element.

A fastening arrangement with tolerance compensation is described in DE10 2007 037 242 A1. The fastening arrangement comprises a base unit,which consists of a blind rivet nut which may be secured to the firstcomponent, an adjusting thread nut and a sleeve-shaped retainer whichreceives the adjusting thread nut and connects said adjusting thread nutto the blind rivet nut. Further, the fastening arrangement comprises anadjustment unit, which consists of a threaded sleeve, an installationplate and a driving bush, which connects the threaded sleeve and theinstallation plate. The threaded sleeve of the adjustment unit is beingable to be screwed into the adjusting thread nut of the base unit via afirst thread pairing of a first thread direction. A fastening screw isbeing able to be screwed into the blind rivet nut secured to thecomponent via a second thread pairing of an opposing second threaddirection. The fastening screw forms with the driving bush a releasabledragging connection in order to rotate the adjustment unit duringrotation of the fastening screw and thereby to move the installationplate into abutment with the component for the purpose of tolerancecompensation.

A disadvantage of these arrangements is that the dragging section is notmounted in a floating manner. Thus, a misalignment of the fasteningscrew while inserting into the adjustment element cannot be compensated.These tolerance compensation arrangements require, therefore, a highdegree of precision during use.

Finally, a fastening arrangement with tolerance compensation isdescribed in WO 2010/022841 A1. The arrangement comprises a receivingelement and an adjustment element which can be screwed to the receivingelement via a first thread pairing having a first thread direction. Afastening screw can be inserted through an opening in the receivingelement and adjustment element which can be screwed into the receivingelement via a second thread pairing having a second thread directionopposite to the first thread direction and can be connected to theadjustment element by a releasable dragging connection. In this way, theadjustment element co-rotates during the rotation of the fastening screwand thereby abuts with the second component. The adjustment elementcomprises a dragging element which is arranged in a rotationally fixedand floating manner inside a thread element, thus making it possible tocompensate for a misalignment of the fastening screw during insertioninto the adjustment element.

A disadvantage of the tolerance compensation arrangement with floatingdragging element is that the tolerance compensation arrangement is madeof plastic. As a consequence, the flux of the pre-tension force appliedvia the fastening screw solely flows through plastic components whenusing this tolerance compensation arrangement. In the range of lowforces, such a connection is sufficient. If, however, higher forces ofthe connection should be realized via the tolerance compensationarrangement, then the plastic flows or deforms and the pre-tension forceintroduced in the tolerance compensation arrangement gets lost.

Thus, the object of at least some implementations of the presentinvention is to provide an alternative construction of a tolerancecompensation arrangement which is optimized with regard to the tolerancecompensation arrangements known in the prior art, especially with regardof the strengths realized thereby while at the same time ensuring a wideas possible range of application.

3. SUMMARY

The above object is solved by a tolerance compensation arrangement forfastening a first component to a second component with automaticcompensation of tolerances in the spacing between the first and thesecond component, a first component in combination with a tolerancecompensation arrangement, a first and a second component, which arefastened to each other via a tolerance compensation arrangement by meansof a fastening screw as well as a manufacturing method for a tolerancecompensation arrangement. Further embodiments and developments arisefrom the following description, the drawings and the appending claims.

According to the disclosure, a tolerance compensation arrangement forfastening a first component to a second component with automaticcompensation of tolerances in the spacing between the first componentand the second component comprises the following features: a baseelement which comprises a first metal element with a first inner threadand a second metal element with a second inner thread, which are spacedfrom each other along a longitudinal axis of the base element and anadjustment unit which comprises a threaded sleeve made of metal with anouter thread and a dragging unit at least partially arranged in thethreaded sleeve, wherein the outer thread forms a first thread pairingof a first thread direction with the first inner thread of the firstmetal element of the base element, while a fastening screw, which isinsertable through an opening of the base unit and the adjustment unit,can be screwed in the second inner thread of the second metal element ofthe base element via a second thread pairing of a second threaddirection opposite to the first thread direction and can be connected tothe adjustment unit via the dragging unit through a releasable draggingconnection so that, during the rotation of the fastening screw, theadjustment unit co-rotates and is moved thereby into abutment with thefirst component.

In the following, the tolerance compensation element is illustrated byits use. It is assumed that the tolerance compensation element mayalready be fastened in a first component. Such a fastening may takeplace via an outer thread of the base element. For example, the baseelement comprises for this purpose in a middle section between a firstaxial end and a second axial end a basically circular-shaped outer formwith an outer thread. By means of this outer thread, the base elementcan thus be screwed in a corresponding circular opening in the firstcomponent.

A second component is arranged over the first component, wherein anopening in the second component may be oriented with the opening in thefirst component. A fastening screw is guided through the opening in thesecond component for the fastening of the second component and engageswith the dragging unit of the adjustment unit. The fastening screw formswith the dragging unit a releasable dragging connection in order torotate the adjustment unit during rotation of the fastening screw andthereby to move the dragging unit into abutment with the secondcomponent for the purpose of tolerance compensation. Upon furtherrotation of the fastening screw and with corresponding increase of thetorque the dragging connection is overcome and the fastening screwengages with the second metal element, so that the two components canthen be clamped together by the fastening screw via the adjustment unit.

The base element, which may consist of plastic, forms together with thefirst metal element and the second metal element the so-called baseunit. Therefore, the base unit consists of three individual elements orcomponents. The first and the second metal element are arrangedrotationally fixed in the base element, so that they do not co-rotateduring a screwing in or screwing out of the threaded sleeve and thefastening screw. To this, the first and the second metal element maycomprise a rotation-inhibiting outer contour, which, in collaborationwith the corresponding inner contour of the base element, prevents theco-rotation of the first and second metal element. Such arotation-inhibiting outer contour can be, for example, any angular ornon-circular outer contour but also any round outer contour with aprotrusion, which engages in a recess in the base element and therebyprevents a co-rotation. The first and/or the second metal element mayconsist of the same metal, for example steel. Also, the first and thesecond metal element may be a first and a second nut.

The first metal element acts together with the metal threaded sleeve ofthe adjustment unit and thereby forms the first thread pairing of thefirst thread direction. For example, the inner thread of the first metalelement and the outer thread of the threaded sleeve each are a left-handthread. The second metal element acts together with the fastening screwand thereby forms the second thread pairing of the second threaddirection, the second thread direction is then defined by a right-handthread with regard to the first thread direction defined by a left-handthread.

Initially, an advantage of the tolerance compensation arrangement isthat, when compared to a pure plastic tolerance compensationarrangement, greater strengths of the connection between the componentsto be connected are achievable. This is achieved especially due to thefirst and the second thread pairing made of metal, such as steel. By thespacing between the first and the second metal element in the baseelement of the tolerance compensation arrangement, a larger scope ofapplication is realizable, which is discussed further with reference tothe embodiments. Compared to the known and above-described tolerancecompensation arrangements, the scope of application is thus increased onthe one hand, while at the same time higher strengths are achievablewith the tolerance compensation arrangement and the tolerancecompensation arrangement is manufacturable cost-effectively due to thecombination of metal and plastic.

In a further embodiment, the base element surrounds the first and thesecond metal element at least partially in such a manner, that the firstand the second metal element in the base element are arrangedrotationally fixed, wherein the base element may consist of plastic. Therotationally fixed arrangement accordingly ensures that the threadedsleeve and thus the adjustment unit can move in direction to or from thesecond component and the fastening screw can be screwed in or out of thesecond metal element, without the need of another additional tool. Inthis way, with the screwing in of the threaded sleeve in the first metalelement and the screwing in of the fastening screw in the second metalelement, a stable metal-metal-connection is established, which canreceive greater forces when compared to pureplastic-plastic-connections.

In a further embodiment, the first metal element is floatingly arrangedin the base element, so that a misalignment of the fastening screwduring the inserting of the adjustment unit can be compensated. Sincethe first metal element is floatingly arranged, the adjustment unit as awhole is floatingly arranged and able to perform radial or lateralcompensation movements with regard to its longitudinal axis within thebase element. With a corresponding design of the base element and thefirst metal element it is also possible that an angular compensationmovement can be performed by the adjustment unit within the baseelement. In this context, the second metal element can also befloatingly arranged in the base element. In a further embodiment, thesecond metal element is realized by a pressed-in nut, so that it is notfloatingly arranged. Especially through this embodiment a large scope ofapplication of the tolerance compensation arrangement is realizable,since the floating arrangement of the first metal element compensatesmisalignments of the fastening screw. At the same time, with the use ofmetal components, a greater strength of the connection is achievable bymeans of the tolerance compensation arrangement, which is even morecost-effective when compared to a tolerance compensation arrangementmade only of metal.

According to a further embodiment, the base element comprises a firstend with a first inner diameter and an opposite second end with a secondinner diameter being smaller than the first inner diameter and in atleast some embodiments is preferably not larger than the inner diameterof the second metal element. The first metal element is arrangedadjacent to the first end and the second metal element is arrangedadjacent to the second end. In this way, the first and the second metalelement are spaced from each other along a longitudinal axis of the baseelement. In at least one embodiment, the second diameter range isarranged in screw-in direction of the fastening screw behind the secondmetal element. In this way, it is not necessary that the second metalelement is designed self-lockingly, since the second diameter rangerepresents a locking against self-releasing of the fastening screw.

It may further be preferred that the base element comprises a firstlateral opening for the receiving of the first metal element and/or asecond lateral opening for the receiving of the second metal element,wherein the first and the second lateral opening may be arranged axiallyabove of each other. In this way, the base element can initially bemanufactured, for example by means of injection molding. Prior to theassembly of the adjustment unit, the first and/or the second metalelement are then inserted or slid-in into the base element through thelateral openings. In a further embodiment, the first and/or the secondmetal element can be manufactured together with the base element, hencebeing embedded in the plastic. Regarding the embodiment with thefloating arrangement of the first and/or the second metal element, aninjection molding or over-molding of the respective metal element is notpossible. In the embodiment with floating arrangement, an inserting orslide-in is thus performed through the respective lateral opening.

In a further embodiment, the dragging unit comprises a dragging element,which may be made of plastic, as well as an abutting disc, which may bemade of metal, wherein the dragging element is retained in the threadedsleeve by means of press-fit. Regarding the arrangement of the draggingunit by means of press-fit in the threaded sleeve, it is referred to theapplication DE 10 2007 037 242 A1. In further embodiment, the draggingunit comprises a first and a second axial end, wherein the first axialend is arranged in alignment or flush with a first side of the abuttingdisc and a second side of the abutting disc opposite to the first abutswith the threaded sleeve. The first axial end for example comprises afirst ring, which may have crushing segments for the fastening of theabutting disc. The upper side of the first ring, hence the side of thefirst ring opposite to the base element, is arranged flush with thefirst side of the abutting disc. Further, the dragging unit comprises asecond ring, which is connected to the first ring via for example twodragging webs, which project springily radially inwardly and therebytapering the passage for the fastening screw. In this way, the abuttingdisc is held in contact with the threaded sleeve via the dragging unit.In this case, the adjustment unit consists of the threaded sleeve madeof metal, the dragging element, which may consist of plastic, and theabutting disc, which may also consist of metal.

It may also be preferred that the dragging element comprises a firstradially outwardly protruding protrusion adjacent to the second axialend and the base element comprises a first radially inwardly protrudingprotrusion, which together form a counter-locking. The first protrusionof the dragging element is thereby especially arranged at the secondring of the dragging element. Due to the embodiment of the first metalelement, the second metal element and the threaded sleeve made of metal,the corresponding inner or outer threads are manufactured by cutting.When compared to a plastic manufacturing, the providing of an end stopof the respective thread is thus not possible. In order to provide acounter-locking for preventing a countering of the threaded sleeve inthe first metal element, the two protrusions acting together areprovided. The two protrusions are dimensioned such that, when theadjustment unit is rotated back, the first protrusion of the draggingelement safely fastens against the first protrusion of the base elementwith a sufficient covering. At the same time, the dimensioning is suchthat, when the adjustment unit is screwed out after a rotation, thefirst protrusion of the dragging element can pass the first protrusionof the base element contact-free. At the manufacturing of the tolerancecompensation arrangement, a correctly positioned assembly of theadjustment unit or the dragging element is especially important, whichis later discussed in more detail.

In a further embodiment, the dragging element comprises at least asecond radially outwardly protrusion adjacent to the second axial end,and the base element comprises at least one aperture, which togetherform a transport locking, especially against rotating. The second radialprotrusion may be arranged at a third ring of the dragging element. Thethird ring is connected to the second ring at the side facing away fromthe first ring such as by webs. In the completely screwed-in conditionof the adjustment unit into the base element, the second protrusion ofthe dragging element is in engagement with the at least one aperture ofthe base element.

This may be the condition in which the first protrusion of the draggingelement is in engagement with the first protrusion of the base element,thus the counter-locking is effective. To this end, it is advantageouswhen the first radial protrusion of the dragging element for the counterlocking may be displaced with respect to the second radial protrusionfor forming the transport locking. For example, the transport lockingcan be formed by two second radial protrusions on the adjustment elementbeing opposite to each other. The first radial end stop can be arrangedbetween these two, for example at an angle of 90°. Especially in view ofthe embodiment of the transport locking, it is referred to WO2010/022841 A1. It may be preferred that the third ring has an ovalshape, so that, when the fastening screw is driven through, at least onesecond radially outwardly protruding protrusion of the dragging elementis unlockable by a radially inwardly directed deformation movement.

In a further embodiment, the dragging element comprises at least onefirst guiding element, with which a correctly positioned arrangement ofthe dragging element in the adjustment unit and thus also in the baseelement is realizable. It may be preferred that the dragging elementcomprises an additional second guiding element. The first guidingelement is longer than the second guiding element. Due to the differentlengths of the guiding elements, which may extend from the second ringof the dragging element in direction of the first ring of the draggingelement, an automatic feeding of the dragging element within amanufacturing process is realizable. In this way, the correctlypositioned orientation of the dragging element can be realized when thedragging element is inserted in the threaded sleeve, so that thecounter-locking and the transport locking are effective in apre-assembled condition, where the adjustment unit and the base elementare fastened to each other.

A first component is given in combination with an embodiment of theabove-described tolerance compensation arrangement, wherein thetolerance compensation arrangement is screwed in the first component.For this purpose, the tolerance compensation arrangement may comprise anouter thread on the base element. The first component in combinationwith the tolerance compensation arrangement comprises theabove-described advantages of the tolerance compensation arrangement, sothat it is referred to the corresponding explanations.

A first and a second component are fastened to each other via anembodiment of the above-described tolerance compensation arrangement bymeans of a fastening screw. The fastening screw may consist of metal,especially of steel. In this way, also the second thread pairing of thesecond thread direction represents a metal-metal-connection. Thecomponents fastened to each other also comprise the above-describedadvantages of the tolerance compensation arrangement, so that it is alsoreferred to the corresponding explanations.

A manufacturing method for the above-described embodiments of thetolerance compensation arrangement comprises the following steps:providing a base element, which comprises a first metal element with afirst inner thread and a second metal element with a second innerthread, providing an adjustment unit, which comprises a threaded sleevemade of metal with an outer thread and a dragging unit, then screwingthe threaded sleeve in the first metal element, wherein the outer threadforms a first thread pairing of a first thread direction with the firstinner threading of the first metal element of the base element. With thetolerance compensation arrangement manufactured, the above-describedadvantages of the tolerance compensation arrangement are realizable. Inthis regard, it is again referred to the respective explanations.Screwing the threaded sleeve in the first metal element may be carriedout in such a manner that a defined projection of the threaded sleeve ispresent beyond the first metal element. The defined projection dependson the length of the dragging unit, especially of the dragging element,as later described. The screwing in in at least some embodiments isespecially carried out in such a manner that if a first and/or secondprojection is present on the dragging element, the counter-lockingand/or the transport locking must be able to fulfil their function.

In a further embodiment of the manufacturing method, the step ofproviding a base element comprises an arrangement of the first metalelement adjacent to a first end of the base element, may be by means ofinserting the first metal element in the base element via a firstlateral opening of the base element. Especially by means of thisarrangement a floating arrangement of the first metal element within thebase element is realized, as described above.

In a further embodiment, the step of providing the adjustment unitcomprises a providing of the threaded sleeve and a dragging unitcomprising an abutting disc, which may be metal, and a dragging element,which may be plastic. In a further embodiment, the manufacturing methodcomprises the further step of pressing the dragging element into thethreaded sleeve which is screwed into the first metal element, so that afirst side of an abutting disc is flush with a first end of the draggingelement and a second side of the abutting disc opposite to the firstside abuts the threaded sleeve. In this context it is referred to theabove explanations of the construction of the tolerance compensationarrangement, from which the corresponding advantages arise.

According to a further embodiment, the dragging element comprises afirst radially outwardly protruding protrusion which, after thepressing-in of the dragging element, is arranged adjacent to a radiallyinwardly protruding protrusion of the base element, so that acounter-locking is formed. In a second embodiment, the dragging elementcomprises at least a second radially outwardly protruding protrusionwhich, after the pressing-in of the dragging element in an aperture ofthe base element, is arranged so that a transport locking is formed.Regarding the functioning of the respective lockings, it is alsoreferred to the explanations of the tolerance compensation arrangement.

4. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

In the following, the present disclosure is discussed in detail withreference to the drawings. There, same reference in the drawingsindicate same components and/or element. It shows:

FIG. 1 an exploded view of an embodiment of the tolerance compensationarrangement,

FIG. 2 a side view of an embodiment of the tolerance compensationarrangement,

FIG. 3 a sectional view of the embodiment according to FIG. 2 along theline A-A,

FIG. 4 a sectional view of the embodiment according to FIG. 2 along theline B-B,

FIG. 5 a top view of the embodiment according FIG. 2,

FIG. 6 a top view of an embodiment of the base unit of an embodiment ofthe tolerance compensation arrangement,

FIG. 7 a sectional view of the embodiment according to FIG. 6 along theline A-A,

FIG. 8 a perspective view of an embodiment of the base element of anembodiment of the tolerance compensation arrangement,

FIG. 9 an embodiment of the dragging element of an embodiment of thetolerance compensation arrangement, and

FIG. 10 a schematic procedure of an embodiment of a manufacturingprocedure of an embodiment of the tolerance compensation arrangement.

5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following, an embodiment of a tolerance compensation arrangement1 is discussed in detail. A tolerance compensation arrangement 1 refersto an arrangement for fastening a first component at a second componentwith automatic or self-acting compensation of tolerances in the spacingbetween the first and the second component.

Referring to FIG. 1, the tolerance compensation arrangement 1 consistsof a base unit 3 and an adjustment unit 5. The adjustment unit 5 againcomprises a threaded sleeve 40 with an outer thread and a dragging unit7. The embodiment of tolerance compensation arrangement 1 is furtherdiscussed with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.

The base unit 3 consists of three elements or components, particularlythe base element 10 as well as a first metal element 30 with a firstinner thread and a second metal element 32 with a second inner thread.The base element 10 may consist of plastic and is manufactured forexample by injection molding. The first 30 and the second metal element32 are nuts with a substantially hexagonal outer shape. Adjacent to therespective opening, the first 30 and the second metal element 32comprise a chamfer on both sides, respectively. The present chamfer onboth sides on the first 30 and second metal element 32 ensures that atan automatic supply of the metal elements 30, 32, a correctly positionedorientation must not be taken into account. In a further embodiment, thechamfer can be intended to be on only one side of the respective metalelement 30, 32. Here, a correctly positioned orientation must be takeninto account. This means that the chamfer must be arranged at the top atthe inserting of the respective metal element 30, 32, thus the chamfermust be facing the first end of the base element 10.

The base element 10, comprises, as clearly apparent from the FIGS. 3 and6 to 8, a bore 12 along its longitudinal axis. The bore 12 defines apassage for a fastening screw when using the tolerance compensationarrangement. Additionally, referring to FIG. 1, the base element 10comprises a first lateral opening 16 adjacent to a first or upper end ofthe base element 10. The first lateral opening 16 is dimensioned suchthat the first metal element 30 can be inserted, especially slid in,through the first opening 16. Further, the base element 10 comprises asecond lateral opening 18 adjacent to a second or lower end of the baseelement 10. Through the second lateral opening 18, the second metalelement 32 can be inserted into the base element 10. The first 16 andthe second lateral opening 18 are spaced from each other axially alongthe longitudinal axis of the base element 10 and may be arrangedcentered over each other. In particular, a straight line extendsparallel to the longitudinal axis of the base element 10 from thegeometrical center of the openings 16 and 18.

In the inside of the base element 10, the first metal element 30 and thesecond metal element 32 are retained rotationally fixed, as it is shownin FIGS. 4 and 5 for the first metal element 30. In order to realizethis rotationally fixed retaining, the base element 10 comprises arespective inner contour in the area of the first lateral opening 16.Above the area of the first lateral opening 16, an area with a cut-out14 is provided and is arranged such that, one the one hand, it canreceive an abutting disc 42 and on the other hand it limits a movementof the first metal element 30 in direction of the first end of the baseelement 10. Due to this arrangement in the inside of the base element10, the first metal element 30 is floatingly arranged in the baseelement 10, as further discussed below.

Likewise, in the area of the second lateral opening 18, a respectiveinner contour of the base element 10 ensures a rotationally fixedarrangement of the second metal element 32. The second metal element 32is in particular pressed into the base element 10 via the second lateralopening 18 and is thus not floatingly arranged in at least someembodiments. Alternatively, the second metal element 32 can also alreadybe present at the manufacturing of the base element 10 and thus beembedded in the plastic of the base element 10. In this case, the secondlateral opening 18 can be omitted.

The inner contour of the base element 10 is further discussed withreference to the FIGS. 3 and 6 to 8. The base element 10 comprises afirst inner diameter adjacent to the first end, in particular below thefirst lateral opening 16, which is dimensioned in the height, thus alongthe longitudinal axis of the base element 10, such that the threadedsleeve 40 can almost completely be arranged therein. The area with thefirst inner diameter transitions from a first step into a first conicalarea. In this first conical area, a first radially inwardly protrudingprotrusion is provided, the function of which will be discussed later.

The first conical area transitions via a second step into a secondconical area. The second conical area comprises the apertures 20, thefunction of which will also be discussed later. Instead of the apertures20, grooves, recesses or the like can be provided. The area with theinner contour adjusted to the second metal element 32 joints the secondconical area. Then, adjacent to the second end, an area 24 with a secondinner diameter follows, the latter being reduced when compared to thefirst inner diameter. The second inner diameter is in particulardimensioned such that it provides a locking against self-releasing for afastening screw screwed therein. Thus, the second inner diameter is notonly smaller than the first inner diameter but in particular not largerthan the inner diameter of the second metal element 32.

Regarding the outer design of the base element 10, the latter comprisesadjacent to the first end a hexagonal outer shape and adjacent to thesecond end, on the same height of the second lateral opening 18, arectangular shape with rounded corners. In the middle area, the baseelement 10 is round and equipped with an outer thread. The outer threadof the base element 10 serves as fastening in a first component,especially by means of screwing in, wherein the hexagonal area adjacentto the first end provides a screwing-in-limitation as well as anengagement feature for a tool for screwing in.

As previously discussed, the adjustment unit comprises the dragging unit7 and the threaded sleeve 40 made of metal, especially steel. Thecomponents of the adjustment unit 5 are discussed in the following withreference to FIGS. 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9. As FIG. 1 shows, the threadedsleeve 40 with outer thread comprises a chamfer at its ends,respectively. The outer thread of the threaded sleeve 40 forms the firstthread paring of the first thread direction with the inner thread of thefirst metal element 30. For example, the first inner thread and theouter thread of the threaded sleeve 40 are left-hand threads.

The dragging unit 7 comprises an abutting disc 42 and a dragging element50. The abutting disc 42 comprises a chamfer at its inner edge,respectively. The dragging element 50, which is shown alone in FIG. 9,comprises at the first end a first ring 52 with crushing segments 54 andat a second end a second ring 56. The first 52 and the second ring 56are for example connected with each other via two dragging webs 64,which project springily radially inwardly and thereby taper a passagefor the fastening screw. In this way, the dragging of the adjustmentunit 5 for a later use is realized.

A first guiding section 66 as well a second guiding section 68 mayextend vertically from the second ring 56 in direction of the first ring54. Here, the first guiding section 66 is formed shorter than the secondguiding section 68. With the two guiding sections 66 and 68, a correctlypositioned assembly of the dragging element 50 in the tolerancecompensation arrangement 1 is realizable, especially for an automaticmanufacturing method. Further, the second ring 56 comprises a firstradially outwardly protruding protrusion 58. In the initial state of thetolerance compensation arrangement 1, this first protrusion 58 actstogether with the first protrusion 22 of the base element 10. Thenecessity of the two protrusions 58 and 22 in at least some embodimentsarises from the fact that the threads of the threaded sleeve 40 and thefirst metal element are manufactured by a cutting procedure. Whencompared to plastic manufacturing of the components, the providing of anend stop of the respective threads is thus not possible. In order tostill realize a counter-locking and thus to especially prevent acountering of the threaded sleeve 40 within the first metal element 30,the two protrusions 58 and 22 acting together are provided. The twoprotrusions 58 and 22 are dimensioned such that, when the adjustmentunit 5 is rotated back, the first protrusion 58 of the dragging element50 safely fastens against the first protrusion 22 of the base element 10with a sufficient covering. At the same time, the dimensioning is suchthat, when the adjustment unit 5 is screwed out after a rotation, thefirst protrusion 58 of the dragging element 50 can pass the firstprotrusion 22 of the base element 10 contact-free. At the manufacturingof the tolerance compensation arrangement 1, a correctly positionedassembly of the adjustment unit 5 or the dragging unit 50 is especiallyimportant, and is performed in such a way, that the two protrusions 58and 22 are arranged adjacent to each other after the manufacturing.

The dragging element 50 comprises a third ring 60 with two second radialprotrusions 62, the function of which is also discussed later. The twosecond radial protrusions are arranged at opposite sides of the thirdring 60. The first protrusion 58 of the second ring 56 may be arrangedcentered between the two second protrusions 62 of the third ring 60. Thethird ring 60 is connected via webs with the second ring 56 at the sidefacing away from the first ring 52. Additionally, the third ring 60 isoval-shaped, so that when the fastening screw is driven through, thesecond radially outwardly protruding protrusions 62 of the draggingelement 50 are unlockable by a radially inwardly directed deformationmovement. In a completely screwed in state of the adjustment unit 5 inthe base element 10, the two protrusions 62 of the dragging element 50are engaged with the apertures 20 of the base element 10. In this way,the two protrusions 62 form a transport locking with the apertures 20 ofthe base element 10, especially against rotation. In this state, thefirst protrusion 58 of the dragging element 50 is also arranged adjacentto the first protrusion 22 of the base element 10.

In an assembled state of the adjustment unit 5, an upper side of thefirst ring 52 is flush with the first side of the abutting disc 42. Thesecond side of the abutting disc 42 abuts with the threaded sleeve 40,as exemplarily shown in FIG. 3. Here, FIG. 3 shows a sectional view ofan embodiment of the tolerance compensation arrangement 1. The abuttingdisc 42 is held by means of the crushing segments 54 at the first ring52 of the dragging element 50.

In the following, and with reference to FIG. 10, the manufacturingmethod of the tolerance compensation arrangement is discussed. First,the base element 10 is provided with the first 30 and the second metalelement 32 (step A) and the two metal elements 30, 32 are inserted orslid-in in the base element (step D). Alternatively, and when the secondmetal element 32 was already worked into the base element 10 during thecast molding, only the first metal element 30 is inserted via the firstlateral opening 16 into the base element 10. In both cases, however, atleast the first metal element 30 is floatingly arranged, especially withlateral tolerance. Due to the floating arrangement of the first metalelement 30 it is ensured that the complete adjustment unit, comprisingthe threaded sleeve 40 as well as the dragging element 50 and theabutting disc 42, is also floatingly arranged. Thus, a screwing outwithout jamming of the adjustment unit 5 is possible even with radialdisplacement of the fastening screw.

Further, the adjustment unit 5 is provided with the dragging unit 7 andthe threaded sleeve 40 (step B). The dragging unit 7 may be providedwith the separate components dragging element 50 and abutting disc 42(step E).

Now, the threaded sleeve 40 is screwed into the first metal element 30in the base element 10. According to the above example, there areleft-hand threads forming the first thread pairing of the first threaddirection. During the screwing in, a defined height is exactly met, sothat the first protrusion 58 and the second protrusions 62 of thedragging element 50 can act together correctly with the correspondingcounterparts, hence the first protrusion 22 and the apertures 20 of thebase element 10 after the manufacturing of the tolerance compensationarrangement 1. The required height thus arises from the previouslydescribed way of function and depends on the dimensions of theindividual components of the tolerance compensation arrangement 1. Dueto the co-acting of the outer thread of the threaded sleeve 40 made ofmetal with the inner thread of the first metal element 30, a greaterstrength is achievable, wherein due to the use of a base element made ofplastic, a cost-effective tolerance compensation arrangement is providedwhen compared to a tolerance compensation arrangement manufacturedentirely from metal.

After the screwing in of the threaded sleeve 40, the abutting disc 42 isconnected with the threaded sleeve 40 by correctly positionedpressing-in of the dragging element 50 (step F). The pressing-in of thedragging element 50 is performed with a flat die, which has a largerdiameter than the first ring 52 of the dragging element 50. In this way,the upper end of the dragging element 50 and the first side of theabutting disc 42 are not only arranged parallel, but also on the sameheight, hence flush with each other. This is necessary, in at least someembodiments, so that the counter-locking and the transport locking canfunction properly. By means of the crushing segments 54, a firm seatingof the abutting disc 42 at the first ring 52 is realized.

Correctly positioning of the dragging element 50 means in this contextthat at the end of the pressing-in, hence when the first ring is flushwith the abutting disc 42, the first protrusion 58 of the draggingelement 50 is arranged adjacent to the first protrusion 22 of the baseelement 10 and the second protrusions 62 are arranged in the apertures13. The first protrusion 58 of the dragging element 50 forms thecounter-locking with the first protrusion 22 of the base element 10,while the second protrusions 62 in the apertures 13 form the transportlocking against rotation.

If the above method is performed automatically, especially the feedingof the dragging element 50, then the correctly positioned orientationcan be ensured due to the first 66 and the second guiding element 68,which have different lengths and thus can prevent an installation of thedragging element 50 twisted by 180°.

1. Tolerance compensation arrangement for fastening a first component toa second component with automatic compensation of tolerances in thespacing between the first and the second component, comprising thefollowing features: a. a base element which comprises a first metalelement with a first inner thread and a second metal element with asecond inner thread, which are spaced from each other along alongitudinal axis of the base element and b. an adjustment unit whichcomprises a threaded sleeve made of metal with an outer thread and adragging unit at least partially arranged in the threaded sleeve,wherein the outer thread forms a first thread pairing of a first threaddirection with the first inner thread of the first metal element of thebase element, wherein c. a fastening screw, which is insertable throughan opening of the base unit and the adjustment unit, can be screwed intothe second inner thread of the second metal element of the base elementvia a second thread pairing of a second thread direction opposite to thefirst thread direction and can be connected to the adjustment unit viathe dragging unit through a releasable dragging connection so that,during the rotation of the fastening screw, the adjustment unitco-rotates and is thereby moved into abutment with the first component.2. The tolerance compensation arrangement according to claim 1, in whichthe base element at least partially surrounds the first and the secondmetal element in such a manner, that the first and the second metalelement in the base element are arranged rotationally fixed, wherein thebase element preferably consists of plastic.
 3. The tolerancecompensation arrangement according to claim 1, in which the first metalelement is floatingly arranged in the base element, so that amisalignment of the fastening screw during insertion into the adjustmentunit can be compensated.
 4. The tolerance compensation arrangementaccording to claim 1, in which the base element comprises a first endwith a first inner diameter and an opposite second end with a secondinner diameter being smaller than the first inner diameter, wherein thefirst metal element is arranged adjacent to the first end and the secondmetal element is arranged adjacent to the second end.
 5. The tolerancecompensation arrangement according to claim 1, in which the base elementcomprises a first lateral opening for the receiving of the first metalelement and/or a second lateral opening for the receiving of the secondmetal element, wherein the first and the second lateral opening arepreferably arranged axially above of each other.
 6. The tolerancecompensation arrangement according to claim 1, in which the first andthe second metal element are a first and a second nut.
 7. The tolerancecompensation arrangement according to claim 1, in which the draggingunit comprises a dragging element as well as an abutting disc whereinthe dragging element is retained in the threaded sleeve by means of apress-fit.
 8. The tolerance compensation arrangement according to claim7, in which the dragging element comprises a first and a second axialend, wherein the first axial end is arranged flush with a first side ofthe abutting disc and a second side of the abutting disc opposite to thefirst side abuts with the threaded sleeve.
 9. The tolerance compensationarrangement according to claim 8, in which the dragging elementcomprises a first radially outwardly protruding protrusion adjacent tothe second axial end and the base element comprises a first radiallyinwardly protruding protrusion, which together form a counter-locking.10. The tolerance compensation arrangement according to claim 7, inwhich the dragging element comprises at least a second radiallyoutwardly protruding protrusion adjacent to the second axial end and thebase element comprises at least one aperture, which together form atransport locking.
 11. The tolerance compensation arrangement accordingto claim 7, in which the dragging element comprises at least one firstguiding element, with which a correctly positioned arrangement of thedragging element in the adjustment unit and thus also in the baseelement is realizable.
 12. A first component in combination with atolerance compensation arrangement according claim 1, wherein thetolerance compensation arrangement is screwed into the first component.13. A first and a second component, which are fastened to each other viathe tolerance compensation arrangement according to claims 1 and bymeans of a fastening screw.
 14. Manufacturing method for a tolerancecompensation arrangement according to claim 1, comprising the followingsteps: a. providing a base element, which comprises a first metalelement with a first inner thread and a second metal element with asecond inner thread, b. providing an adjustment unit, which comprises athreaded sleeve made of metal with an outer thread and a dragging unit,then c. screwing the threaded sleeve into the first metal element,wherein the outer thread forms a first thread pairing of a first threaddirection with the first inner threading of the first metal element ofthe base element.
 15. The manufacturing method according to claim 14,wherein the step of providing the base element comprises: d. arrangingthe first metal element adjacent to a first end of the base element. 16.The manufacturing method according to claim 14, wherein the step ofproviding the adjustment unit comprises: e. providing the threadedsleeve and a dragging unit comprising an abutting disc and a draggingelement.
 17. The manufacturing method according to claim 14, with thefurther step: f. pressing the dragging element into the threaded sleevewhich is screwed into the first metal element, so that an abutting discwith a first side is flush with a first end of the dragging element andis with a second side opposite to the first side in contact with thethreaded sleeve.
 18. The manufacturing method according to claim 14,wherein the dragging element comprises a first radially outwardlyprotruding protrusion which, after the pressing-in of the draggingelement, is arranged adjacent to a radially inwardly protrudingprotrusion of the base element, so that a counter-locking is formed. 19.The manufacturing method according to claim 14, wherein the draggingelement comprises at least a second radially outwardly protrudingprotrusion which, after the pressing-in of the dragging element into anaperture of the base element, is arranged so that a transport locking isformed.